Improvement in lasts



WILLIAM J. B. M ILLS.

Improvement in Lasts.

Pa tented-Feb.2 7,1872.

'INVENTOR.

% Jia @22 NITED STATES PATENT QEEIcE.

WILLIAM J. B. MILLS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO DE WITT C. TAYLOR, TRUSTEE, OF NEW YORK CITY.

IMPROVEMENT IN LASTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1%,075, dated February 27, 1872.

SPEoIFIoATIoN.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. B. MILLS, of the city of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Lasts for Turn-Round and Welted Shoes, of which the following is a specification:

N atiwe and Objects of the Invention.

Description of the Accompanying Drawing which makes a part of this Specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved last. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a cross-section at the line a a: of Fig. 1.

Like letters in all the figures indicate the same parts.

General Description.

A is the lower piece of the last, and A the upper piece, which are cast and joined together at the line 3 y, the metal being only thick enough to give the requisite amount of strength and to insure solidity in the shells. The lower piece is cast without a bottom, and has around its lower edge at the outside a bevel, a, which is caused to rest upon a suitable dcvice of the sewing-machine as the last is turned around in the sewing operation. The interior of the lower edge is provided with a lip, b, for clasping the shoe-sole B upon the movable bottom 0 as the latter is forced toward the lip by means of the tightening-screw D, which works in the permanent nut E connected with the piece A of the last, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The sole B is thus held securely in position on the last while the sole and upper are sewed together. The tail end of the screw is provided with a pin, a, which connects with the slot e in the strengtheningrib f of the movable bottom 0 for giving reciprocating motions to the bottom, forcing it inward to receive the sole, so that the edge of the sole may be pressed by the hands under the clasping-lip b, and then secured tightly on the bottom 0 by a reverse motion of the screw. The connection of the end of the screw with the bottom 0 may be dispensed with by using the hands directly in moving the bottom in and out, except in the operation of clasping the sole B, when the end of the screw, by pressing upon the bottom, forces the edge of the sole against the clasping-lip h. A cam or other device may take the place of the screw D. If desired, the middle portion of the bottom 0 may be left open, except the part with which the screw D comes in contact. The pieces A and A, instead of being cast, may be struck up of sheet metal. The bottom may be constructed in the same manner.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The movable bottom O, in combination with the open piece A, having a lip, 11, around the interior of its lower edge, between which lip and the said bottom the sole B is clasped to hold it securely while being sewed to the upper, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination and arrangement of the ti ghtening-screw D with the piece A and movable bottom B, substantially in the manner and for the purpose specified.

3. The bevel a around the edge of the sole of the last, constructed substantially in the manner and for the purpose above set forth.

In testimony that the above is my invention I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 5th day of August, 1871.

WILLIAM J. B. MILLs. L. s.]

Witnesses:

THOMAS J. BEW'LEY, STEPHEN UsTIoK. 

